Ennice the Menace

While in NYC, I made it a point after each busy day to see a play at night. The first night I saw August in Osage. This was an incredibly powerful play that just took my breath away. It was 3.5 hours long and included two intermissions. I was blown away at how fast it went and how much I was sucked into this poor family’s struggle. Although this family was plagued with drug, alcohol addiction, suicide, and many other twisted and perplexing problems, I felt a kinship to many of the characters. I saw many resemblances to every family’s struggles in the way we love, hurt, and help each other.

The second night I went to see Gypsy. I figured a musical would be light and fun and a good way to end the NYC trip. First, I must say, I don’t get it. The musical was more annoying than enjoyable, and although in the end both plays ended in sadness, this one seemed to have no point, and by intermission it felt like a complete waste of time.

That is the very moment that I met Ennice. Ennice was seated to my left. She made a comment on how she felt like she was at a bad high school play. I smiled, glad to know that I was not the only one who didn’t like it. Soon we were chatting, and she started to share a bit about her life.

Ennice is 87 years old. She travels all over the world. In fact she just got back from a badminton tournament in Australia (That she competed in!). She shared with us that her husband died in 1995. She had me in tears, and she described their wonderful life and how the night he died, he had asked her to check the passports, ensuring that they had two years of travel before they needed to renew. They sat together and planned a wonderful world excursion before they went to sleep.

At some point that night, her dear husband left her. She said that as sad as it was, it was the most beautiful ending that she could have wished for. He died dreaming of traveling with his one true love.

Ennice did not let that stop her. She has traveled to every country in the world except China. She wants to walk the great wall before she dies because it was on she and her husband’s list.

At 87, this woman had no aches, pains and takes no medication. She told me that she attributes her good health to eating well and keeping her mind and body healthy. She reads, translates books, and exercises. She said that people call her Ennice the Menace because of her tenacity.

The most poignant moment was when she shared her feelings on mankind. It was like looking in a mirror as she described her true love of others and how no matter where in the world she goes, she meets amazing people that inspire her to be a better person.

My friend Dave even said, “Wow, you two are kindred spirits.” I will be honest, I would have adopted her in two minutes. I was so sad when the intermission was over and the play started again. I wanted more time to absorb more from this wonderful soul.

At the end of the play, she wished us all well, and as we started to leave, she looked at me and winked. I could not help but think that someday, maybe not in this life, we would get the time to share more life adventures.

Ennice, thank you for sharing you heart. Enjoy the Great Wall. I have been there, and it really will be worth it!